Miniature rose plant named &#39;KORpot068&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘KORpot068’ is a new and distinct variety of  Rosa hybrida  which is characterized by the combination of a compact and upright growth habit, moderately vigorous growth, an abundance of large double-type flowers, cream white flower color, and good disease resistance. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and speciesof the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrida disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘KORpot068’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Rosa hybrida,miniature rose cultivar, which has been given the variety denominationof ‘KORpot068’. Its market class is PLT/116.

Parentage: The Rosa hybrida cultivar ‘KORpot068’ originated as anaturally occurring mutation of Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot042’ (U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/544,576). ‘KORpot068’ was discovered in Augustof 2013 at the inventor's nursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany.‘KORpot068’ was discovered by Tim-Hermann Kordes as a branch mutationand was selected for its cream white flowers.

Asexual Reproduction: The first asexual propagation of ‘KORpot068’, byway of stem cuttings, was performed in August of 2013 at the inventor'snursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. Subsequently, ‘KORpot068’has been successfully propagated by stem cuttings in Jackson County,Oreg. These initial and other subsequent propagations conducted incontrolled environments demonstrate that ‘KORpot068’ reproduces true totype in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa hybridacultivar ‘KORpot068’. These traits, in combination, distinguish‘KORpot068’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits a compact and upright growth habit;and

2. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits moderately vigorous growth; and

3. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits good disease resistance; and

4. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits an abundance of flowers; and

5. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits a double petal count; and

6. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits a large flower size for a miniaturerose; and

7. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot068’ exhibits a cream white flower color, atanthesis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color drawing shows as true as is reasonably possibleto obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristicsof the buds, sepals, reproductive organs, flowers, leaves, prickles, andstems of ‘KORpot068’, taken from six month old plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Rosa hybrida known as ‘KORpot068’, based upon fieldobservations made in October of 2015, from six month old container-grownplants in a greenhouse environment in Jackson County, Oreg. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics willvary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘KORpot068’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2001 edition except where common terms ofcolor are used.

A botanical description of ‘KORpot068’ and comparisons with othervarieties of Rosa hybrida are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Growth habit.—Compact and upright.        -   Mature dimensions.—18 to 20 cm tall and 18 cm wide, on            average, when grown as a 15 cm nursery pot.        -   Cold hardiness.—Unknown.        -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings.        -   Disease resistance.—Good resistance to powdery mildew            (Sphaerotheca pannosa), blackspot (Diplocarpon rosae) and            rust (Phragmidium sp.) diseases in a greenhouse environment            in Jackson County, Oreg.-   Root system: Fibrous.-   Stems:    -   -   Stem color.—Young stems are Yellow-Green Group 146A; mature            stems are Yellow-Green Group 146A.        -   Anthocyanin intonations.—Greyed-Red Group 181A intonations            are present on new growth.        -   Stem surface texture.—Both immature and mature stems exhibit            a smooth texture.        -   Stem dimensions.—Typical mature stems are approximately 15            cm long and 6 mm in diameter.        -   Prickles.—Incidence — Present; 20 prickles per 10 cm of            stem, on average. Size — Average length is 5 mm. Immature            prickle color — Greyed-Red Group 182A. Mature prickle color            — Greyed-Red Group 182B and senescing to Greyed-Orange 163D.            Anthocyanin intonations — Greyed-Purple Group 184B is            present on immature prickles. Shape — Deeply concave.            Texture — Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Imparipinnate compound leaves; mature axillary            leaves consisting of 5 leaflets.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Dimensions.—130 mm long and 90 mm wide, on average.        -   Abundance.—Very abundant; normally 25 to 40 leaves.        -   Stipules.—Size — 15 mm long and 5 mm wide. Stipule color —            Yellow-Green Group 146B. Anthocyanin intonations — None.            Stipitate glands — Limited; few glands present at margins            and abaxial surface. Margins — Finely serrated stipitate            glands. Texture, adaxial surfaces — Glabrous. Texture,            abaxial surfaces — Rugose. Apex — Apiculate. Base — Fused to            the petiole.        -   Petiole.—Length — Average 22 mm. Diameter — Average 1 mm.            Petiole color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Yellow-Green            Group 146A. Margins — Stipitate glands present. Anthocyanin            intonations — None. Prickles — Numerous prickles on the            abaxial surface of the petiole. Stipitate glands — Abundant.            Texture — Glabrous. Strength — Strong.        -   Rachis.—Length — Average 20 mm. Diameter — Average 1 mm.            Color — Yellow-Green Group 146B. Anthocyanin intonations —            Greyed-Purple Group 187B present in immature foliage.            Margins — Stipitate glands and very light pubescence.            Prickles — A few small prickles underneath. Stipitate glands            — Limited.        -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Normally 5 leaflets on normal leaves in            middle of the stem. Dimensions — Average size of the            terminal leaflet is 60 mm long and 35 mm wide. Shape —            Ovate. Apex — Acute. Base — Obtuse. Margins — Serrated; no            undulation. Luster and texture, adaxial surface —            Semi-glossy and smooth. Luster and texture, abaxial surface            — Matte and smooth. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface            — Yellow-Green Group 146A. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-Green Group 146C. Mature foliage color,            adaxial surface — Green Group 137A. Mature foliage color,            abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147B. Anthocyanin            intonations — Greyed-Purple Group 183B. Intonations are            predominantly present on abaxial surface of juvenile            leaflets. Venation — Reticulate. Petiolule — Dimensions — 1            mm long and 1 mm in diameter. Petiolule color, adaxial            surface — Green Group 137A with intonations of Greyed-Purple            Group 183B. Petiolule color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green            Group 146B. Prickles — None present. Texture, adaxial and            abaxial surfaces — Smooth. Margins — Stipitate glands.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—One to two pedicellate flowers are held            upright on strong peduncles.        -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent; floriferous.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Generally one to two flower buds per            peduncle.        -   Size.—10 cm tall and 6 cm wide, on average.        -   Peduncle.—Length — 20 to 23 mm average length. Diameter — 3            to 4 mm average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146A.            Anthocyanin intonations — None. Strength — Strong. Texture —            Smooth.-   Flowering laterals: None present.-   Bud:    -   -   Bud form.—Long; pointed ovoid.        -   Size.—Upon opening, 23 mm in length from base of receptacle            to distal end of bud and 16 mm diameter at its widest point.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color, as sepals first unfold.—Yellow Group 4D.        -   Color when one-quarter open, inner side.—Marginal zone —            Green-White Group 157C. Middle zone — Yellow-Green Group            150C. Basal zone — Yellow-Green Group N144C. General            tonality — Green-White Group 157C.        -   Color when one-quarter open, outer side.—Marginal zone —            Green-White Group 157A. Middle zone — Yellow-Green Group            150C. Basal zone — Yellow-Green Group N144C. General            tonality — Green-White Group 157C.-   Flower:    -   -   Pedicel.—Surface — Fine hairs and stipitate glands are            present. Length — 45 to 50 mm, on average. Diameter — 3 to 5            mm, on average. Color — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Anthocyanin            intonations — Not present. Strength — Strong. Texture —            Smooth.        -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with            strong foliaceous appendages present on three of the five            sepals. Diameter of calyx — 60 to 65 mm, at anthesis. Sepals            — Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146B. Color,            abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146A. Anthocyanin            intonations — Not present. Size — 35 mm long and 9 mm wide,            on average. Apex — Cirrose. Base — Flat at union with            receptacle. Quantity — Five. Texture, adaxial surface —            Smooth. Texture, abaxial surface — Rugose. Margins —            Pubescent with stipitate glands. Stipitate glands — Limited            number on the abaxial surface and along margins.        -   Corolla.—General shape of corolla — Cup-open; deep. Shape of            corolla when viewed from the side — Upon opening, upper            portion — Flattened convex. Upon opening, lower portion —            Flattened convex. Open flower, upper portion — Flattened            convex. Open flower, lower portion — Flattened convex.            Dimensions — Large for a miniature rose. When open, the            average flower diameter is 70 to 75 mm and the average            flower height is 50 to 60 mm. Fragrance — Very light.            Duration — On the plant 14 to 17 days. Senesced petals            clinging. Petals — Petal count — Exhibits double flowers            with approximately 38 petals under normal conditions. Petal            reflex — Slightly reflexed. Timing of petal reflex —            Simultaneously. Petal margin — Entire. Petal shape —            Obovate. Apex — Obtuse. Base — Obtuse. Dimensions — 33 mm            long and 30 mm wide. Texture, inner surface — Smooth.            Texture, outer surface — Smooth. Petal color, upon opening —            Outermost petals, outer surface — White Group 155A.            Outermost petals, inner surface White Group 155A. Innermost            petals, outer surface — White Group 155A. Innermost petals,            inner surface — White Group 155B. Basal petal spots, upon            opening — Basal petal spot, outermost petals — Dimensions —            9 mm high and 10 mm wide. Outer surface — Green-Yellow Group            1A. Inner surface — Green-Yellow Group 1A. Basal petal spot,            innermost petals — Dimensions — 4 mm high and 10 mm wide.            Outer surface — Green-Yellow Group 1A. Inner surface —            Green-Yellow Group 1A. Petal color, after opening —            Outermost petals, outer surface — White Group 155C.            Outermost petals, inner surface — White Group 155C.            Innermost petals, outer surface — White Group 155A.            Innermost petals, inner surface — White Group 155B. Basal            petal spots, after opening — Basal petal spot, outermost            petals — No distinct coloration at the petal base. Basal            petal spot, innermost petals — Dimensions — 4 mm high and 4            mm wide. Outer surface — No distinct coloration at the petal            base. Inner surface — Green-Yellow Group 1B. General            Tonality — White Group 155B. No change in general tonality            at the end of the fourteenth day.        -   Petaloids.—Quantity — 2 petaloids per flower, on average.            Dimensions — Highly variable; approximately 20 to 25 mm long            and 5 to 15 mm wide. Color, outer surfaces — White Group            155A. Color, inner surfaces — White Group 155A to 155B.            Margins — Highly irregular; entire to indented;            non-undulating to undulated. Shape — Highly irregular; oval            to spatulate to oblanceolate. Apex — Acute. Base —            Attenuate. Texture, inner and outer surfaces — Smooth.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 160, on average, and            regularly arranged around the styles. Anthers — Shape —            Reniform. Dimensions — 2 mm long and 1 mm wide, on average.            Color — Yellow-Orange Group 14A. Pollen — Medium density.            Pollen Color — Greyed-Orange Group N163D. Filaments — Color            — Yellow-Green Group 145A. Length — 5 mm.        -   Pistils.—Quantity — Abundant; approximately 80. Stigmas —            Dimensions — 1 mm long and 1 mm wide. Location — Equal in            position to anthers. Color — Yellow-White Group 158A. Styles            — Length — Approximately 11 mm long. Color — Yellow-White            Group 158A.        -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 3 to 40 mm long and 6 mm in diameter.            Color — White Group 155B.        -   Receptacle.—Shape — Funnel-shaped. Dimensions —            Approximately 7 mm high and 8 mm wide. Surface — Glabrous            and smooth. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146B.-   Hips and seed formation: Not observed.-   Comparisons with the parent: The new rose plant may be distinguished    from its parent, ‘KORpot042’, by the coloration of the flower.    ‘KORpot068’ exhibits a cream white flower color, whereas ‘KORpot042’    exhibits a salmon flower color.-   Comparison with the most similar Rosa cultivar known to the    inventor: For a comparison, several physical characteristics of the    rose variety ‘KORpedia’, a rose variety from the same inventor    described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,638 are compared    to ‘KORpot068’ in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘KORpot068’ ‘KORpedia’ General tonality of theWhite Group 155B. Yellow Group 2D. flower. Average size of terminal 60long and 35 mm 45 mm long and 25 mm leaflet. wide. wide. Flower petalcount. 38. 30 to 35.

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named‘KORpot068’, as described and illustrated herein.